How do you protect an unbeaten record when your opponent refuses to lose either half of the fight? Very carefully, and not without a scare.

Anastasia Nikolakakos improved to 7-0 with a split-decision win over Jihin Radzuan in a high-stakes atomweight MMA showdown at ONE Fight Night 45 on Friday, July 17, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Gracie Humaita Bolton representative arrived off a blistering first-round knockout of Victoria Souza this past March, announcing herself to the global fanbase in emphatic fashion. Friday’s sophomore outing under the bright lights demanded considerably more from her.

“We were prepared everywhere. There are always things that you want to improve on during a fight, things you want to do more, wish that you did, but all in all, I’m very blessed, I’m very grateful, and I’m happy with the outcome,” she said.

“We got the win. I think we deserved it. And that’s it. I feel good, and I’m happy to be back. It’s a great opportunity to be on this platform.”

Anastasia Nikolakakos grades her own performance

Anastasia Nikolakakos dictated the pace early with her elite ground game, dragging Jihin into deep waters before the Malaysian leveled the fight on the feet in round two.

It came down to a decisive final five minutes, where Nikolakakos leaned on her superior takedowns to edge out the scorecards. Given how closely contested the fight was, she remained her own toughest critic afterward.

“I felt that I won unanimously. But when they said split decision, I think it was just from maybe my eye being puffy. As for my performance, I’d give myself a seven out of ten.”

With two promotional wins now banked and her record still flawless, Nikolakakos has made her ultimate target clear: the vacant ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship.

“I believe I’m next in line, and whoever it is, I will try my best to get that belt.”